This is a smaller version of a Victorian “Fascinator” originally published in “Weldon’s Practical Crochet” in the 1890’s. While today’s Fascinators are odd hats which perch like exotic birds upon one’s head, back then they were triangular scarves worn either over the head or around the shoulders to ward off the chill.

The original went on for many more rows, and had a much longer fringe. Mine has changes to the start, the edges, the border, as well as the fringe, and is a mere 12 rows of ground (although advice is provided to make it larger). It makes a nice scarf, or goes gently around the shoulders as a shallow Shawlette.

The Fascinator uses a (now apparently archaic) stitch pattern called the “Toronto Stitch.” It makes for a lovely network of generous shells with an interesting texture.

I made my model in Malabrigo Silky Merino (color “Nocturnal”) to match the “Victorian Cap,” another retro/repro from the same era.